Revenge of the Heir

Family Matters

Melissa pulled out an envelope from her briefcase and slid it over to Eric, having forgotten to have done this much earlier.

“What’s this?” Holly asked curious as to why this woman would be passing her Fiancé an envelope.

“You will find the majority of your parents personal possessions in one of those 4 properties. They are largely unchanged since your parents passing, only the caretakers allowed to enter. The itemized lists are on the separate drives, and you of course are encouraged to determine if everything is still there. As for the items you inquired about earlier, I believe they are located at the property here in the Capitol. I could take you over to it after our meal if you would like?” Melissa asked him.

“As much as I might appreciate that, it is something I will do alone. I assume the address is on one of the files?” Eric asked her as he opened them.

“It is indeed, as well as the keys you will need for the houses, and the entry codes to the security gates. I have alerted the caretaker of the property here you will likely arrive at some point today.” Melissa said as Holly looked at her.

“What exactly is it you did for his parents?” She asked curious.

“I was Lady Joanne’s Lady in Waiting, as well as her legal advisor. Had there been less of a threat to his life, Eric would have stayed with my husband and I after the loss of his parents.” Melissa said as she knew her looks made her appear far younger than she actually was.

Holly was shocked as the woman said that, as she would have guessed she was only a few years older than she herself was. “Well that was not the answer I expected.”

Melissa laughed as she looked at Holly for a moment. “Trust me, I have no intentions of pursuing your Fiancé, it would just be too weird as I knew his mother and father very well. I just happen to be the personal attorney of his parents, and the executor of their Estate.”

Eric knew Holly was being jealous as Maestro returned with his assistants, and it looked like they had brought most of the kitchen with them. He chuckled as he knew that Maestro was pulling out all the stops, as he knew what being the head caterer for a Lord’s Wedding could do for his business. Add to that the fact he was already a celebrity Chef, and he would get the exclusive rights to the video of one of the hottest events of this year, and Maestro would make a lot of money off of it. “Did you leave enough for everyone else?” he asked teasing the man.

“Wi senor, we did leave enough for the other diners. This will be a true tasting menu of my best dishes, and will allow you to select what your guests will be served. I however have a feeling I know exactly who I will be cooking for, and it will be my new specialty.’ Maestro told them as the 4 cooks began working in sync with each other as they began.

For 3 hours they served small samples of dozens of dishes, and they had narrowed it down to 6 dishes that they knew the guests would just die to have. Each of the Chefs told them what they had prepared as they served it, and it was clear that each of them was just as skilled at their job as Maestro himself was.

They had written the names of the 6 dishes down, and handed him the slip of paper once they had finished. “Choose between those 6, or allow the guests to select. Either way I know one dessert I need you to add to the menu for the bride’s mother. I have a feeling if I don’t do it, she will skin me alive. Even if you only prepare the one.” Eric said as Holly laughed.

“Oh yes, she would skin us both if we don’t make sure she gets one of those.” Holly said as she laughed the whole time.

“A fan of my work?” he asked as he laughed himself.

“Yes, she is. Oh, can I torture her with this over the next few days?” Eric asked as he saw the producer of his show walk into the still packed restaurant.

“Only if I get to torture her too.” Holly said with a smile as she pulled out her phone. She smiled as she answered it. “Hi mom.” She said sweetly making Eric laugh before she looked at him.

“So when will you be back?” Hellen asked.

“Most likely in 3 days, we had to do a few things for the wedding. You will never guess who is going to cater it for us.” Holly said as she put the phone on speaker.

“There are way to many Chefs that would be able to cater your wedding. Did you find an event planner than?” Hellen asked not realizing she was on speaker.

“No momma, no event planner yet. Although if I can sweet talk the caterer enough, I might be able to see if he would get Janet Wilkins to do it.” Holly said making Eric snigger as Maestro nodded.

“Hmmm, that could be an idea worth pursuing.” Maestro said as Holly had to stop herself from laughing.

“How would a caterer have an in with Janet Wilkins?” Hellen asked incredulous.

“Well, he happens to be friends with her. No promises yet though, he still has to talk to her about it.” Holly said as Eric could barely contain his laughter.

“She doesn’t have any friends, other than other celebrities. None of them Cater Weddings.” Hellen said stubbornly.

“Normally you would be correct Mrs. Dawson, I do not normally cater weddings. If I do this one, you have to promise not to skin the bride or groom beforehand.” Maestro said making even Melissa chuckle.

“Who was that dear?” Hellen asked.

“Just the caterer mom.” Holly replied.

“Tell him if I didn’t know any better he would sound am awful lot like Chef Maestro.” Hellen said.

“I get that all the time my dear, we will have to get together here in the next few days so you can help me select the final menu for the guests. When are you available?” Maestro asked her as he kept up the charade.

Holly laughed as they heard her father in the background. “Well Mr. Caterer, I can be there in 3 days. Where would you like to meet?” Hellen replied briskly before they heard her cover the mouthpiece in her phone.

“Oh that will give me plenty of time to get the planner on board with this. We will see you as soon as you arrive.” He said as they were all having trouble stopping their laughter.

“I will call you later mom, have a nice night.” Holly said as Maestro pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

“This better be good Duncan.” Janet said answering his call.

“I think it is, I just need some help with the details. Couldn’t think of anyone better suited for the job.” Maestro said in response.

“How much is it going to cost me this time?” she asked.

“What if I said I was calling on behalf of a paying client? That they have already agreed to give us all filming rights, and even behind the scenes access for the crews as they hold what could possibly be the event of the decade. If you think you can pull it off anyway.” He told her making her snort.

“What could you possibly be into that would be worth all of that hype?” she asked not believing it.

“Well the venue is already set, the Lord’s Council Center.” Holly said knowing that all of the Weddings for the Lord’s Council were held there.

“I think I would have heard about someone planning a wedding for one of the Lord’s, all of which are already married by the way.” Janet replied.

“My dear, you haven’t heard of the planning because you have not agreed to plan it yet. There is one seat that is not yet occupied on the Lord’s Council.” Maestro said as he was trying to entice her.

“Kevin Heinrich is already married.” Janet replied coldly.

“I have it on good authority that Kevin is not the next Lord of the Heinrich Family.” Maestro said with a smile.

“You know I can find out easily enough Duncan, so why you with me. What do you want?” Janet asked.

“Mrs. Wilkins, my name is Eric Heinrich. I can assure you that Kevin Heinrich is not now, nor has he ever been the Heir Apparent of the Heinrich Family. That distinction has belonged to me since my father died when I was 6 years old, Steven Heinrich. I want nothing more than for you to plan my Wedding, as my Fiancé and her mother are extreme fans of yours. All you must do is agree to do the planning, and tell me what your cost will be. I will than give you the budget that is available, and as Maestro has already informed you, you will share the rights for filming the event. Is that satisfactory for you?” Eric asked her and he heard a gasp on the end of the line.

“How much is Maestro being paid?” she asked.

“The agreed upon catering budget is $500 million, he keeps any amount remaining after the event is completed.” Eric told her as he heard her gasp again.

“What would my budget be if I said my fee would be $250 million?” she asked as Holly smiled.

$20 Billion, I have plans for the other $4.25.” Holly said with a smile as Eric nodded.

They all heard her curse as she was clearly pacing the room. “When is the event happening?” she asked.

“One week.” Eric said as they heard her pacing and cursing again.

“How much access will the film crews have?” she asked.

“One crew for each the Lord and Lady, as well as crews positioned wherever you wish.” Eric answered as it was clear she was pacing again.

“Done, I will be in DC tomorrow afternoon. I need the Lord and Lady prepared to work hard for several days as we will only have one shot at this.” Janet said.

“You have free reign to design it any way you wish, color scheme will be the Heinrich Family Crest colors.” Holly said as they were Royal Blue and Scarlet Red.

“Who are you?” Janet asked.

“The Bride.” Holly replied getting a chuckle from her as it was apparent Janet was smiling.

“Event of the century than. I assume you want an extravagant show of strength as you are emerging before the law requires by atleast a week?” she asked.

“3 weeks actually, to the day.” Eric replied with a smile of his own.

He heard her whistle as she knew 3 weeks was almost unheard of.

"All decisions are mine? Done, we will discuss my commission after the event. That is on top of the $250 million fee to get it off the ground. How long until the funds are available?" she asked.

"You will have the funds at the outset of our meeting tomorrow." Eric said as she whistled.

"Than we will see you tomorrow Lord Heinrich." Janet Wilkins said before she hung up.

Maestro stood and nodded at the three of them when Melissa looked at him. "I will likely be at that meeting tomorrow, as Janet will likely have a bone to pick with me. Let us hope I survive until your wedding, and I can actually still cook." he said before he walked into the kitchen.

"I have other matters we will need to discuss at some point in the next few days. Your parents had some interesting things in their will, and I can only reveal them under certain circumstances." Melissa said as Holly looked at her.

"What sort of events?" she asked.

"Your pending wedding for one, birth of your children, other events like that." Melissa said with a smile.

"We will have to schedule a time tomorrow, for this evening, we will take our leave." Eric said as he stood up and helped Holly.